Wines to Share

Now that the weather is getting nicer, do you find yourself coming out of your cocoon a bit more often and socializing with friends.   With warmer weather comes deck parties, getaways and pot lucks.  And a great opportunity to shine by bringing the wine.

I recently had a group of friends over and this was the first wine we opened.  A gorgeous 2007 Zinfandel from the Calistoga region in the Napa Valley.  When I went to the Napa Valley a few years back Calistoga is where I stayed.  It’s in the Northern part of the Valley and known for its Hot Springs, cool wine and warm welcomes.  With its bright red fruits, pepper and chocolate tones, this Zinfandel was heavenly.  The Chateau Montelena vineyard was established in 1882 and produces some first class wines that are all about balance.  I can’t wait to have this one again.

The next wine was a Wyndham Estate George Wyndham Founder’s Reserve Shiraz.  At under $20 this is a wine I will be buying again and again.  Gorgeous ruby color in the glass with some purple tones.   Plums and blackberry with cedar, chocolate and spice all mixed in a beautiful Shiraz.    If you love a full-bodied wine as I do, you will love this Shiraz with its oak nuances.  The oak, however, is not over-powering.

And finally I have to tell you about this awesome wine I found to compliment spicy food.  This is the Tommasi Appassimento Adorato.  The Appassimento is a process that dries the grapes before fermenting to concentrate sugars, acids and flavors.  (not to be confused with a sweet wine).   It is a combination of a Chardonnay grape and a Garganega grape.   Clean and spicy highlighted by flavors of tropical fruit and honey.  The first time I tried this wine, I had it with roast turkey.  It was OK.  Then I had it with spicy Mexican and Indian food.  And Wow, they go hand in hand.  It was a delicious combination.  It’s light enough to drink on your patio this summer and a beautiful wine that you don’t have to pair with food, its delicious by itself.  No oak, for all my friends that don’t like an oaky Chardonnay, this is your wine.  Under $20 – you can afford to drink it all Summer.

Till next week – enjoy good friends and good wine

Cheers

Darlene